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As the final out on the Cardinals was made in the championship game, raindrops immediately darkened the brown infield. The Cardinals came up short in the championship to the Washington Eagles, losing 4-3 in seven depressing innings. “Usually when our offense is down we have players that can pick up the whole team,” head coach Sascha Ray said. “The nerves got the best of us.”
Despite their less-than-impressive offense, the team performed exceptionally well on defense. In the sixth inning junior right fielder Abigail Young threw out an Eagle runner at first base to end the inning. Senior captain and pitcher Alina Werth allowed only 8 hits throughout the entire game in addition to fielding several outs from the pitcher’s mound. A few times the team started to pick up their offense, but was unable to capitalize on opportunities to take the lead, leaving several potentially scoring runners on base. Sophomore first baseman Madison Donahue-Wolfe hit a triple in the third inning but never reached home.
In the bottom of the fifth inning the Cardinals almost took the game. Sophomore second baseman Michelle Willis hit a double to center field, bringing Young in to score. Willis’ double would have brought junior catcher Chloe Roddy home if a fence gate hadn’t been left open that allowed the ball to bounce off-site, an overthrow that sent Roddy back to third base. In the seventh inning Washington pitcher Lana Buchbinder shut out the final inning, ending the post-season for the previously undefeated Cardinals.
The team shut out the Lincoln Mustangs 10-0 on May 11 at West Sunset field in their playoff game. The match-up proved mismatched for the Cardinals, who quickly defeated the Mustangs. Junior catcher Chloe Roddy drove a ball to hit the right-field fence at West Sunset.
This season the varsity softball team has displayed its brimming talent, leadership and determination. The team remains undefeated in the AAA with a league score of 16-0. In total, the Cardinals have scored 252 runs this season, in comparison to the opposing teams’ 26 total runs against the Cardinals.
In three consecutive games the team notably beat Burton 29-0 on April 15, Mission 28-0 on April 8 and Wallenberg 26-0 on April 6.
Although the Cardinals will not go on to compete in the Transbay Tournament, they certainly played an excellent season, finishing off 16-1.
With the senior class graduating this year, the Cardinals will lose senior third baseman Lauren Quirarte and Werth, who both added to the Cardinals’ strong offense. Next year the team will rely on young sophomore pitcher Michelle Willis and junior shortstop Katie Tam to carry their defense. “Michelle is a really solid pitcher,” Werth said. Junior catcher Chloe Roddy will become the base of the team’s offense. According to Werth, “Chloe and Katie have the experience needed to lead the team.”
MVP
The Lowell’s choice for most valuable player is senior captain and starting pitcher Alina Werth. Werth is great at the plate, quick in the infield and astounding on the mound. The California Interscholastic Federation has also named her Player of the Year. Throughout the whole season Werth has led the team to success, including 12 out of 16 shutout games. “Aside from her phenomenal talent, Alina inspires everyone to do better everyday,” sophomore outfielder Emma Nakayoshi said.
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